Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-25

tue artlbt hnhn uee our piano. we Will
not act as agents for any pianist who will
not agree to use our instrument and
none other. The artists, as rule, are
very faithful to the contract, and 1
know of one mentioning the name Of
famous and popular player who will not
play even in a private house to private
and friendly audiences unless our instru-
ment is furnished for her. That may be
carrying the scheme too far, but it is
well for us and we do not object. In
this way we keep our instruments con-
stantly before the public in favorable
light. 1t is good advertisement for us
that an expert player prefers our piano
and will use no other. The fact is that
few players have such a decided personal
choice between the four or FIVE leading
instruments. 1t IS all a matter OF bust
ness.
TIE ASKING PRICE.
"And about prices No man who
knows anything ever expects to pay the
asking price for piano. There are one
or two houses in this city where the price
is kept steady at the asking figure, but
that Is only to prevent too great trade
at the headquarters. Our bulk Of bust
ness, of course, is with the middlemen,
and it is our policy TO favor them. The
result is that You can do great deal
better than to buy your instrument OF
the main house. A great many people
do that because they then feel sure that
they are getting an article that is all that
it is represented to be. But rs q matter
of fact the difference in price is so great
between the figure named here and that
by the middIemen that it will pay any
body to 90 out of town to make the pur
chase. For instance, you could go down
to Richmond, Va, or to any city in the
interior of New York or Pennsylvania,
buy one of our instruments there, and
save enough money to pay for the trip,
including all expenses and the freightage
on the piano back to the city. You could
even go as far as Atlanta and save enough
to cover the expenses OF the trip and
day or two in the city. There is another
reason why we keep the price steep and
stiff in the main house. Not only will
there be enough trade to justify it, but
the expenses OF the main house are enOr-
nous, and greater returns are necessary
to meet them"
MR.. FOX MEETS TIE PRINCE.
There was singular meeting between
the Prince of Wales and Richard X. Fox,
of the Police Gazette, at the Goodwood
races last August. The distinguished
journalist was visiting England to ar
range the match which has just come off
between the star, Jake Kilraiu, and Mr.
Smith. He had concluded the terms of
it when he reached the race-course with
his lady to enjoy tho scene and the
horses.
Half the aristocracy of England was
dining on the green sward among the
beautiful trees which skirt the quarter
stretch. The Prince, his good wife, and
one of his Sons were among the number
Richard seemed to take great delight in
walking about among the rows OF tables
and pointing out to the woman by his
side some of the distinguished people
who were taking their dinner under the
trees. 1t was a beautiful scene and
charming day, and it is known through
all England as the annual royal picnic.
Mr.. OK and his companion seemed to
enjoy it Immensely. Both in scenery,
make up, and depression this gathering
is the best there was in the United King
dom this year. Mr.. Fox saw 1t and
plumed himself upon the discovery of
this wonderful element of human happi-
ness. Filled with the importance with
which he was freighted, Mr.. Fox, after
having made his international smuggling
match between Kilrain and Smith,
evidently deemed himself a fit COM
panion for Kings. He watched
the Prince dine, and when bis
Royal Higbness had finished his repast
and walked toward the railing which
skirted the quarter-stretch, end took his
field-glasses from his shoulder and le-
yelled them at the horses just gailoping
up the track preparatory to starting for
the Goodwood cup, Mr.. Fox approached
him. The Prince was alone and Mir.
Fox caught his opportunity. The heir
TO the throne, not knowing OF his pres
cncc, observed awhile the look and action
of the horses, then dropped his glasses
as they drew nearer, and gazed at them
with his naked eye.
At this instant the great patron Of
sporting events, the mighty editor OF the
PoHcc G0zoHc, stepped up and tapped
the scion of royalty upon the shoulder.
The Prince turned quickly about to see
who was thus familiar. His eye lit upon
the great citizen from America who had
backed Mr. Kilrlin to knock out one Of
his own subjects. Mr.. Fox looked
diqnifed and even solemn. He met the
Princes gaze without Hinching, and III
that rich and mellow brogue 50 charac-
teristic of the north of Ireland Nilesian
he said
q am an American visiting your
country, and would like to shake hands
with the future King"
The Prince noted the brogue, took in
the situation, and with due consideration
for the OCCASION and his own position
said:
81 hope you are enjoying your visit
to this country.
Mr.. Fox, impressed with the weight OF
the occasion and the fact that the Prince
did not turn bis back on him, took occa-
sion to introduce his lady. The Prince,
always gallant and gentlemanly, shook
hands with her and said
81 hope, madam, you are enjoying
your stay in England. We are having
pleasant weather for the sport.
| think that Mr.. Fox was about to ask
the Prince what he thought about the
Kilrain and Smith.prize-fight, but one Of
the royal family approached and the
Prince turned and lett Mr.. Fox and his
lady to their own reflections.
Taking it all in all. it wasa great scene
and a broad example of the gall which
good many Americans carry about them
on occasions of this character.
At the moment Mr.. Fox was much
elated with the fact that the Prince had
not kicked him into the paddock, and be
was warm in his praises of the pohteness
and equanimity of his Royal Higbness.
What has come over the spirit of his
dreams do not know. but | learn that
he is much disguised with the coming
King Of England, who was polite to hun
when he should have been rude, and
now refuses to let Mr.. Kilrain spar for
his edification. Men when they grow
great become curious cranks, and now